U.S. patent number 6,500,128 [Application Number 09/877,713] was granted by the patent office on 2002-12-31 for nerve movement and status detection system and method.
This patent grant is currently assigned to NuVasive, Inc.. Invention is credited to James F. Marino.
United States Patent |
6,500,128 |
Marino |
December 31, 2002 |
Nerve movement and status detection system and method
Abstract
A method and system for detecting nerve status and relative
movement between a nerve and a proximity electrode. The method
determines relative movement between a nerve and a proximity
electrode by applying multiple signals to a calibration electrode
where the energy level of each signal induces a predetermined nerve
response. The method also applies multiple signals to the proximity
electrode where the energy level of each signal also induces a
predetermined nerve response. Based on the variation of the energy
level of signals required to induce predetermined nerve responses,
the method may detect relative movement between a nerve and a
proximity electrode and nerve status.
Inventors: |
Marino; James F. (La Jolla,
CA) |
Assignee: |
NuVasive, Inc. (San Diego,
CA)
|
Family
ID: |
22784624 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/877,713 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/554;
600/546 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
5/389 (20210101); A61B 5/4893 (20130101); A61B
5/1106 (20130101); A61B 5/4041 (20130101); A61B
5/05 (20130101); A61N 1/3603 (20170801) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
5/05 (20060101); A61B 5/11 (20060101); A61B
5/0488 (20060101); A61N 1/08 (20060101); A61B
005/05 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/897-898,920
;600/372,373,546,548,554 ;607/43,46,48,49 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
Ford et al., `Electrical Characteristics of Peripheral Nerve
Stimulators Implications for Nerve Localization` Regional
Anesthesia (1984) 9:73-77. .
Greenblatt et al., Needle Nerve Simulator-Locator; Nerve Blocks
with a New Instrument for Locating Nerves Anesthesia &
Analgesia (1962) 41 (5):599-602. .
Martin et al., "Initiation of Erection and Semen Release by Rectal
Probe Electrostimulation (RPE)" The Williams & Wilkins Co.
(1983) pp.637-642. .
Pither et al., "The Use of Peripheral Nerve Stimulators for
Regional Anesthesia; Review of Experimental Charactersitics,
Technique, and Clinical Applications" Regional Anesthesia (19850
10:47-53. .
Raj et al., "Infraclavicular Bracjial Plexus Block--A New Approach"
Anesthesia and Analgesia (1973) 52(6);897-. .
Raj et al., Use of the Nerve Stimulators for Regional Anesthesia
Clinical Issues in Regional Anesthesia (198501(40; 1-6. .
Raj et al., "Use of Nerve Stimulators for Peripheral Blocks"
Regional Anesthesia Apr.-Jun. 1980 pp. 14-21. .
Raymond et al., The Nerve Seeker: A system for automated nerve
localization Regional Anesthesia (1992) 17(30;151-162. .
Shafik, "Cavernous Nerve Stimulation Through an Extrapelvic
Subpubic Approach: Role in Penile Erection" Eur.
Urol.(1994)26;98-102..
|
Primary Examiner: Schaetzle; Kennedy
Assistant Examiner: Droesch; Kristen
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Stangler; Jonathan
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for determining nerve status, the apparatus
including: (a) means for applying a first electrical signal to a
first conductive element where the first conductive element is
located at a position where the distance between the first
conductive element and the nerve is relatively constant and the
first electrical signal has an energy level that induces a
predetermined nerve response; (b) means for applying a second
electrical signal to a second conductive element where the second
electrical signal has an energy level that induces the
predetermined nerve response; (c) means for applying a third
electrical signal to the second conductive element where the third
electrical signal has an energy level that induces the
predetermined nerve response; (d) means for applying a fourth
electrical signal to the first conductive element where the fourth
electrical signal has an energy level that induces the
predetermined nerve response when the energy level of the third
electrical signal is not substantially equal to the energy level of
the second electrical signal; and (e) means for determining the
nerve status has changed when the energy level of the first
electrical signal is not substantially equal to the energy level of
the fourth electrical signal.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first electrical signal
has a current level that induces the predetermined nerve
response.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nerve response is
determined from at least one EMG measured at a muscle
physiologically coupled to the nerve.
4. An apparatus for determining relative movement between a nerve
and a second conductive element, the apparatus including: (a) means
for applying a first electrical signal to a first conductive
element where the first conductive element is located at a position
where the distance between the first conductive element and the
nerve is relatively constant and the first electrical signal has an
energy level that induces a predetermined nerve response; (b) means
for applying a second electrical signal to the second conductive
element where the second electrical signal has an energy level that
induces the predetermined nerve response; (c) means for applying a
third electrical signal to the second conductive element where the
third electrical signal has an energy level that induces the
predetermined nerve response; (d) means for applying a fourth
electrical signal to the first conductive element where the fourth
electrical signal has an energy level that induces the
predetermined nerve response when the energy level of the third
electrical signal is not substantially equal to the energy level of
the second electrical signal; and (e) means for determining that
relative movement between the nerve and the second conductive
element has occurred when the energy level of the first electrical
signal is substantially equal to the energy level of the fourth
electrical signal.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first electrical signal
has a current level that induces the predetermined nerve
response.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the nerve response is
determined from at least one EMG measured at a muscle
physiologically coupled to the nerve.
7. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising means for
determining the nerve status has changed when the energy level of
the first electrical signal is not substantially equal to the
energy level of the fourth electrical signal.
8. An article of manufacture for use in determining nerve status,
the article of manufacture comprising computer readable storage
media including program logic embedded therein that causes control
circuitry to perform the steps of: (a) applying a first electrical
signal to a first conductive element where the first conductive
element is located at a position where the distance between the
first conductive element and the nerve is relatively constant and
the first electrical signal has an energy level that induces a
predetermined nerve response; (b) applying a second electrical
signal to a second conductive element where the second electrical
signal has an energy level that induces the predetermined nerve
response; (c) applying a third electrical signal to the second
conductive element where the third electrical signal has an energy
level that induces the predetermined nerve response; (d) when the
energy level of the third electrical signal is not substantially
equal to the energy level of the second electrical signal applying
a fourth electrical signal to the first conductive element where
the fourth electrical signal has an energy level that induces the
predetermined nerve response; and (e) determining the nerve status
has changed when the energy level of the first electrical signal is
not substantially equal to the energy level of the fourth
electrical signal.
9. The article of manufacture of claim 8, wherein the first
electrical signal has a current level that induces the
predetermined nerve response.
10. The article of manufacture of claim 8, wherein the nerve
response is determined from at least one EMG measured at a muscle
physiologically coupled to the nerve.
11. An article of manufacture for use in determining relative
movement between a nerve and a second conductive element, the
article of manufacture comprising computer readable storage media
including program logic embedded therein that causes control
circuitry to perform the steps of: (a) applying a first electrical
signal to a first conductive element where the first conductive
element is located at a position where the distance between the
first conductive element and the nerve is relatively constant and
the first electrical signal has an energy level that induces a
predetermined nerve response; (b) applying a second electrical
signal to the second conductive element where the second electrical
signal has an energy level that induces the predetermined nerve
response; (c) applying a third electrical signal to the second
conductive element where the third electrical signal has an energy
level that induces the predetermined nerve response; (d) when the
energy level of the third electrical signal is not substantially
equal to the energy level of the second electrical signal applying
a fourth electrical signal to the first conductive element where
the fourth electrical signal has an energy level that induces the
predetermined nerve response; and (e) determining that relative
movement between the nerve and the second conductive element has
occurred when the energy level of the first electrical signal is
substantially equal to the energy level of the fourth electrical
signal.
12. The article of manufacture of claim 11, wherein the first
electrical signal has a current level that induces the
predetermined nerve response.
13. The article of manufacture of claim 11, wherein the nerve
response is determined from at least one EMG measured at a muscle
physiologically coupled to the nerve.
14. The article of manufacture of claim 11, further comprising the
step of determining the nerve status has changed when the energy
level of the first electrical signal is not substantially equal to
the energy level of the fourth electrical signal.
15. A method of determining nerve status comprising the steps of:
(a) applying a first electrical signal to a first conductive
element where the first conductive element is located at a position
where the distance between the first conductive element and the
nerve is relatively constant and the first electrical signal has an
energy level that induces a predetermined nerve response; (b)
applying a second electrical signal to a second conductive element
where the second electrical signal has an energy level that induces
the predetermined nerve response; (c) applying a third electrical
signal to the second conductive element where the third electrical
signal has an energy level that induces the predetermined nerve
response; (d) when the energy level of the third electrical signal
is not substantially equal to the current level of the second
electrical signal applying a fourth electrical signal the first
conductive element where the fourth electrical signal has an energy
level that induces the predetermined nerve response; and (e)
determining the nerve status has changed when the energy level of
the first electrical signal is not substantially equal to the
energy level of the fourth electrical signal.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein step a) includes: (i) placing a
first conductive element at a position where the distance between
the first conductive element and the nerve is relatively constant;
and (ii) applying a first electrical signal to the first conductive
element where the first electrical signal has an energy level that
induces a predetermined nerve response.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the first electrical signal has
a current level that induces the predetermined nerve response.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the nerve response is
determined from at least one EMG measured at a muscle
physiologically coupled to the nerve.
19. A method of determining relative movement between a nerve and a
second conductive element comprising the steps of: (a) applying a
first electrical signal to a first conductive element where the
first conductive element is located at a position where the
distance between the first conductive element and the nerve is
relatively constant and the first electrical signal has an energy
level that induces a predetermined nerve response; (b) applying a
second electrical signal to the second conductive element where the
second electrical signal has an energy level that induces the
predetermined nerve response; (c) applying a third electrical
signal to the second conductive element where the third electrical
signal has an energy level that induces the predetermined nerve
response; (d) when the energy level of the third electrical signal
is not substantially equal to the energy level of the second
electrical signal applying a fourth electrical signal to the first
conductive element where the fourth electrical signal has an energy
level that induces the predetermined nerve response; and (e)
determining that relative movement between the nerve and the second
conductive element has occurred when the energy level of the first
electrical signal is substantially equal to the energy level of the
fourth electrical signal.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein step a) includes: (i) placing a
first conductive element at a position where the distance between
the first conductive element and the nerve is relatively constant;
and (ii) applying a first electrical signal to the first conductive
element where the first electrical signal has an energy level that
induces a predetermined nerve response.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the first electrical signal has
a current level that induces the predetermined nerve response.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the nerve response is
determined from at least one EMG measured at a muscle
physiologically coupled to the nerve.
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of
determining the nerve status has changed when the energy level of
the first electrical signal is not substantially equal to the
energy level of the fourth electrical signal.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to nerve monitoring systems, and more
particularly to relative nerve movement and status detection
methods and systems.
2. Description of Related Art
Systems and methods exist for monitoring a nerve. One such system
determines when a stimulating needle is approaching a nerve. The
system applies a current to the needle to evoke a muscular
response. The muscular response is visually monitored (typically as
a shake or "twitch"). When the user observes such a muscular
response, the needle is considered to be near the nerve coupled to
the responsive muscle. These systems require the user to observe
the muscular response (to determine that the needle has approached
the nerve). This may be difficult depending on the competing tasks
of the user. In addition, when general anesthesia is used during a
procedure, muscular response may be suppressed, limiting the
ability of a user to detect the response.
Accordingly, a need exists for a better system and method that can
determine the movement and status of nerves.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a method and system for determining
the status of a nerve and relative movement between a nerve and a
conductive device. The present includes a method for determining
relative movement between a nerve and a second conductive element.
The method includes applying a first electrical signal to a first
conductive element. The first conductive element is located at a
position where the distance between the first conductive element
and the nerve is relatively constant. The first electrical signal
has an energy level that induces a predetermined nerve response.
The method also applies a second electrical signal to the second
conductive element. The second electrical signal has an energy
level that induces the predetermined nerve response. Then the
method applies a third electrical signal to the second conductive
element. The third electrical signal has an energy level that
induces the predetermined nerve response. When the current level of
the third electrical signal is not substantially equal to the
current level of the second electrical signal, the method applies a
fourth electrical signal to the first conductive element. The
fourth electrical signal has an energy level that induces the
predetermined nerve response. Then, the method determines that
relative movement between the nerve and the second conductive
element has occurred when the energy level of the first electrical
signal is substantially equal to the current level of the fourth
electrical signal.
The method may further include placing a first conductive element
at a position where the distance between the first conductive
element and the nerve is relatively constant. The first electrical
signal may have a current level that induces the predetermined
nerve response. Further, the nerve response may be determined from
at least one EMG measured at a muscle physiologically coupled to
the nerve. The method may also include determining that the nerve
status has changed when the energy level of the first electrical
signal is not substantially equal to the energy level of the fourth
electrical signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a nerve movement/status detection
system in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of determining nerve
movement or status change in accordance with the present
invention.
FIG. 3A is an illustrative diagram of a nerve stimulation and nerve
response system according to the present invention.
FIG. 3B is a simplified diagram of an EMG according to the present
invention.
FIG. 3C is a diagram showing a mapping of the peak-to-peak voltage
of EMG signal versus input signal current level according to the
present invention.
FIG. 4A is an exemplary graph of the peak-to-peak voltage level of
EMG response versus input signal current level according to the
present invention.
FIG. 4B is a diagram of an exemplary method of determining a
hanging point of the curve shown in FIG. 4A according to the
present invention.
FIG. 4C is a flowchart of the exemplary method of determining the
hanging point of the curve shown in FIG. 4A according to the
present invention.
Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings
indicate like elements.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples
shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations
on the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary relative nerve movement and
status system 10 in accordance with the present invention. The
system 10 includes an output device 12, a user input device 16, a
processor 20, a proximity electrode 21, a calibration electrode 22,
and an electromyogram (EMG) electrode 24. The processor 20 includes
a central processing unit ("CPU") 14 and a Digital to Analog
converter ("D/A") and Analog to Digital Converter ("A/D") 18. The
CPU 14 may be any microprocessor having sufficient processing power
to control the operation of the D/A & A/D 18, and output device
12. The D/A & A/D 18 is any such device having a sufficient
sampling rate and bit resolution to generate signals as described
herein. The calibration electrode 22 is an electrode suitable for
placement at a location where the distance to a nerve of a patient
to be monitored is relatively constant. The EMG electrode 24 is an
electrode(s) capable of detecting an EMG response where the
electrode(s) may be inserted into a muscle physiologically coupled
to the nerve to be monitored or placed on skin above the muscle.
The proximity electrode 21 is an electrode that may be coupled to
any medical device including a cannula, pedicle probe, needle,
catheter, RF ablation device, medical laser, or other medical
instrument. The proximity electrode 21 may include a single
electrode (mono-polar), two electrodes (bipolar), or a plurality of
electrodes (multi-polar) configuration.
The CPU 14 controls the operation of the D/A & A/D 18 and
output device 12 based on user selection received via the user
input device 16. The user input device 16 may be any input device
including a keyboard, mouse, and touch sensitive screen. The output
device 12 may be any user readable output device controllable by
the CPU 14 such as computer monitor, printer, and other computer
controlled display device. The system 10 generates electrical
stimulus signals that are transmitted to the electrodes 21 and 22.
The system interaction is described with reference to FIG. 2. The
system 10 also receives signals from the EMG electrode 24. In
general, the system 10 generates an electrical stimulus signal for
the electrodes 21 and 22 via the D/A 18. In particular, the CPU 14
generates a digital representation of stimulus signals to be
transmitted by the electrodes 21 and 22. The D/A converts the
digital signals to analog stimulus signals that are transmitted by
the electrodes 21 and 22. The stimulus signals are used to induce a
nerve response in one or more nerves of interest located near or
about the electrodes 21 and 22.
An exemplary induce, nerve response is an EMG derived from a muscle
physiologically coupled to the nerve(s) of interest. FIGS. 3A to 3C
depict an exemplary method of determining a nerve response to a
stimulus signal according to the present invention. FIG. 3A is an
illustrative diagram of a nerve stimulation and nerve response
system 200 according to the present invention. The system depicts a
plot of a stimulus pulse 210, stimulus electrode 220, nerve 230,
muscle 240 physiologically coupled to the nerve 230, EMG electrodes
250, differential pair 252, differential amplifier 254, and plot of
EMG signal 260. In this exemplary system 200, a stimulus signal
having a fixed current level and having the shape shown in the plot
210 is applied to the stimulus electrode 220. The stimulus
electrode 220 may be a proximity or calibration electrode. The
stimulus electrode 220 is located near or about a nerve 230 of
interest. The stimulus electrode 220 radiates the stimulus signal
to the nerve 230. The nerve 230 may generate a response
(depolarize) when the energy level of the stimulus signal 210 is
sufficient. When the nerve is depolarized, the nerve may innervate
the muscle fibers 240. The EMG electrodes 250 conduct any
electrical activity in the muscle fibers 240. The electrodes are
coupled to the differential amplifier 254 by the differential pair
of wires 252. The differential amplifier 254 may generate an EMG
similar to the simplified EMG plot 260.
The present invention determines the induced nerve response (from a
stimulus signal applied to a stimulus electrode), by measuring the
maximum peak-to-peak voltage response of the EMG generated from a
muscle physiologically coupled to the nerve. FIG. 3B is a
simplified plot of an EMG according to the present invention where
the peak-to-peak response (magnitude) 262 is shown. In one
embodiment, the invention may increase the current level of the
stimulus signal applied to the stimulus electrode 220 until the
maximum peak-to-peak EMG voltage response reaches some
predetermined minimum value. In another embodiment, the invention
generates a mapping of the maximum EMG peak-to-peak voltage level
versus the input signal current level. Such an exemplary mapping is
shown in FIG. 3C. In this example, the maximum EMG peak-topeak
voltage level 262, 272, and 282 for three EMG signals 260, 270, and
280 are mapped relative to the stimulus signal current level. A
curve that best fits through these mappings is termed an S-curve or
recruitment curve.
In one exemplary embodiment, the stimulus current level is
increased until a particular point on the recruitment curve is
located. Then the stimulus current associated with the
predetermined point on the recruitment curve is selected as the
current level required to induce the predetermined nerve response.
FIG. 4A is an exemplary plot of such a recruitment curve with a
predetermined point 308 selected where the point is termed the
hanging point. Accordingly, the stimulus current level (about 12 mA
in this example) that corresponds to the hanging point of the
recruitment curve is designated as the current level that induces a
predetermined nerve response according to one exemplary embodiment
of the invention. FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate one exemplary method
of determining the location of a hanging point of a recruitment
curve.
As noted, the recruitment curve is comprised of individual mapping
points of EMG peak-to-peak voltage versus stimulus signal current
level (such as shown in FIGS. 3C and 4B). The method locates the
"hanging point" of the recruitment curve by accumulating a number
of such mapping points and then attempting to fit three different
lines segments through this minimum number of points. As shown in
FIG. 4C, the first step 312 determines whether there are a
sufficient number of mappings. In one exemplary embodiment the
method waits until there are at least 2*m points (n>2 m) where m
is the minimum number of points that may be used to generate one of
the three lines segments. In one embodiment, m is at least 7, so n
is at least 15 before the method is employed. Then the method
(steps 314, 316) determines: a) the line segment that best fits all
n points, shown as line 302 in FIG. 4B; b) the line segment that
best fits the first m points, shown as line 306 in FIG. 4B; and c)
the line segment that best fits the last n-m points, shown as line
304 in FIG. 4B.
The parameters of these three line segments are determined using
linear regression in one embodiment. Then, the method determines
how well each line segment fits the mappings. In one embodiment,
the fit for each segment is determined by calculating the root mean
square ("RMS") error for each line segment versus mappings (step
318). The calculated RMS error for lines 302, 306, and 304 are
termed E3, E1, and E2. The method determines that the mth point
(mapping) is the hanging point when
In this equation C1 and C2 are calibration constants and each are
less than one. This equation indicates that the two smaller line
segments 304 and 306 better fit the mappings than the single line
segment 302.
The method may also monitor the slope of the line segments 302,
304, 306. When the slopes of the line segments are similar, the
method may determine that the first point (mapping) represents the
hanging point of the recruitment curve. This situation may occur
when the stimulus electrode is a sufficient distance from the nerve
that the first measurable EMG response is the also the hanging
point. In order to perform this exemplary method, the EMG electrode
24 receives EMG or evoked muscle action potential ("EMAP") signals
generated by muscle fiber 240 electrically coupled to the EMG
electrodes 24. In the present invention, the nerve is stimulated by
an electrical signal transmitted by electrode 21 or 22. The A/D 18
converts the analog signal received by the EMG electrode 24 (after
processing by the differential amplifier 254) into a digital signal
that may be processed by the CPU 14.
FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary method 100 of determining relative
movement between a nerve and a proximity electrode where a
calibration electrode is placed at a location that is a constant
distance from the nerve during the execution of the method. The
method 100 places a calibration electrode at a location that is a
constant or fixed distance from the nerve (step 102). Ideally, the
distance between the calibration electrode and nerve remains
constant or fixed during the execution of the method. In one
embodiment, the calibration electrode is placed in the epidural
space above the dura of the spinal cord and between the spinous
processes near the nerve of interest and midline to the spinal
cord.
A proximity electrode may be placed at some desired location or a
clinician may be manipulating a tool including the electrode (step
104). The calibration electrode is stimulated with a first signal
whose current level is induces the predetermined nerve response
(step 106). As shown with reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the
process of determining the first signal current level that induces
the predetermined nerve response may include mapping the
recruitment curve and finding the stimulus current level that
corresponds to the hanging point of the recruitment curve. The
proximity electrode is then stimulated with a second signal whose
current level induces the predetermined nerve response (step
108).
Because this method may be executed during a procedure where the
relative distance between the proximity electrode and nerve may
change, the method repeats these steps and then determines whether
any changes (nerve status or relative distance/movement) have
occurred. Accordingly, the calibration electrode is then stimulated
with a third signal whose current level induces the predetermined
nerve response (step 112). The proximity electrode is stimulated
with a fourth signal whose current level induces the predetermined
nerve response (step 114). Then the electrodes stimulus current
levels (that induced the predetermined nerve response) are compared
to determine whether relative movement between the nerve and the
proximity electrode has occurred, the nerve status has changed, or
no detectable change has occurred. First (at step 116), the second
signal current level is compared to the fourth signal current
level. When the current levels of these signals are substantially
the same, no change has likely occurred, i.e., no relative movement
between the nerve and the proximity electrode has occurred and the
nerve status has not changed. Note: step 112 may be bypassed when
these levels are substantially equal.
When the second signal current level is not substantially equal to
the fourth signal current level, then one of the nerve status and
the relative distance between the nerve and the proximity electrode
has changed. In order to determine which has changed, the method
100 (at step 118) compares the first signal current level to the
third signal current level (for the calibration electrode). Given
the relative distance between the calibration electrode and nerve
is constant during the execution of the method, the current level
required to induce the predetermined nerve response should remain
constant unless the nerve health or status has changed. When these
levels (first signal and third signal current levels) are equal the
method determines that the relative distance between the nerve and
the proximity electrode has changed (step 124). Otherwise, the
method 100 determines that at least the nerve status has changed
(step 122).
While this invention has been described in terms of a best mode for
achieving this invention's objectives, it will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that variations may be accomplished in
view of these teachings without deviating from the spirit or scope
of the present invention. For example, the present invention may be
implemented using any combination of computer programming software,
firmware or hardware. As a preparatory step to practicing the
invention or constructing an apparatus according to the invention,
the computer programming code (whether software or firmware)
according to the invention will typically be stored in one or more
machine readable storage mediums such as fixed (hard) drives,
diskettes, optical disks, magnetic tape, semiconductor memories
such as ROMs, PROMs, etc., thereby making an article of manufacture
in accordance with the invention. The article of manufacture
containing the computer programming code is used by either
executing the code directly from the storage device, by copying the
code from the storage device into another storage device such as a
hard disk, RAM, etc. or by transmitting the code on a network for
remote execution.
As can be envisioned by one of skill in the art, many different
combinations of the above may be used and accordingly the present
invention is not limited by the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *